The Bookies is a dark thriller comedy that’s based on an idea that emerged over 15 years ago from two working class Scottish writers and long term friends, Mikey Burnett and Joe McCann. Written in East Coast dialect, the play is set in an Edinburgh bookies’ and deals with themes of misogyny, racism, greed and addiction.
The premise is that one night, in an Edinburgh betting shop, the lives of staff and regular customers, Michelle, Pat, John and Harry, take an unexpected turn. Shop manager Pat wonders if it is odds-on he will lose his job; gambling addict Harry is convinced there is a ghost in the machine!
The play premieres at Dundee Rep on 3rd May with the cast announced as Irene Macdougall and Barrie Hunter in the starring roles of Michelle and Harry, with Ewan Donald taking on the role of Pat and Benjamin Osugo taking to the the stage as John.
Helped by Mikey’s experience of working in the betting industry and advice from another celebrated Scottish playwright, Douglas Maxwell, The Bookies is directed by award-winning actor, director and writer, Sally Reid, known to wider audiences from her roles in River City and Scot Squad who said “An incredible team of creative talent from the writers, actors, designers and crew are bringing The Bookies to life and it’s all very exciting.
The play is a quick witted, fast paced dark comedy and it really takes you on a journey of discovery with the characters and lots of winning and losing along the way…”
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Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 